Oberlin Stories Project
We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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![House with many windows](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lisa_amor_petrov_85.jpg?itok=vqqnfYT8)
On living in the Women’s Collective
“I was blessed by the intimacy that can come from searching, together with other women, for an understanding of what it means to be a feminist.”
Lisa Amor Petrov ’85
![2 jugglers practicing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/aries_indenbaum_09.jpg?itok=L8VCOkeW)
On Oberlin’s student-run circus
“Circus stood for the things I valued: inclusion, family, daring, theatre without drama, strength, flexibility, clumsiness, music, love. If anyone asked me what I cared about, circus would be one of...
Aries Indenbaum ’09
![Sandy Waters](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sandy_waters_71.jpg?itok=YLaJVQB4)
On the Oberlin student body
“My Oberlin friends came from... all over the place. All races and all faiths, they had attended both public and private high schools... they were independent, intellectually curious, intelligent,...
Sandy Waters ’71
![Group of people line dancing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jackie_mostow_12.jpg?itok=bnd2sPUo)
On starting the One Song Dance Parties in Mudd
“It answered the rarely asked question: why shouldn’t stress reduction and (albeit short) physical activity be fun, promoted, and in an academic space?”
Jackie Mostow ’12
![Sitting on the Freedom House porch, which rests on cinder blocks, Matthew holds a rifle. Black and white photo circa late 1960's.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/matthew_rinaldi_69.jpg?itok=hi9SYFP-)
On working with the Oberlin Action for Civil Rights
“Oberlin played a major role in the student civil rights movement... Not just one person, but many people, linked arm and arm together, ended the reign of white supremacy in the Deep South.”
Matthew Rinaldi ’69
![Brendab holding a bat](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/brendan_veeneman_07.jpg?itok=d6hLuaUV)
On learning beyond one’s major
“I think it is a uniquely Oberlin phenomenon that introductory courses are every bit as interesting and rigorous as upper level courses, and it was this strength that encouraged me to diversify my...
Brendan Veeneman ’07
![Members of the co-op pose holding bike parts.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sophie_newman_17.jpg?itok=SzH9UFaV)
On practicing problem solving
“It wasn’t until I joined the Oberlin Bike Co-op that I realized just how satisfying finding an answer can be.”
Sophie Newman ’17
![An older man with a raised fist rides a bike through Memorial Arch](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jim_sunshine_46.jpg?itok=bTEuAGlJ)
On getting to Oberlin and returning
“Once here, I never looked back. I went off to war, came back after three years, graduated in 1949, married a classmate in Fairchild Chapel, took up that career in journalism, and returned 56 years...
Jim Sunshine ’46
![Her identity concealed by a cardboard box over her head, a woman runs in the grass, her cape flapping behind her.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/miriam_rothenberg_12.jpg?itok=QsjWaVcw)
On living in Sci-Fi Hall
“They were friendly, loud, crazy, and nerdy. Furthermore, they were welcoming, encouraging me to participate despite my complete lack of knowledge of the linguistic origins of Tolkien’s Elvish...
Miriam Rothenberg ’12
![A basketball player shoots the ball](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/christina_spencer_11.jpg?itok=awTyZRjR)
On injury
“For the past week, I’ve had to sit out from the Yeowomen’s Basketball team with a sprained ankle. Being unable to play or practice has only intensified my passion for this sport. Now, I crave...
Christina Spencer ’11
![Thanisa plays piano on stage.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/thanisa_durongkaveroj_18.jpg?itok=wMAlLw_J)
On the connections between college and the future
“I start to see my college experience as part of my overall life experience; classes become more applicable, and I become more competent to enter the professional world.”
Thanisa Durongkaveroj ’18
![Noah has green scales painted on his face.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/noah_morris_12.jpg?itok=vW3PSGTS)
On meeting neighbors
“I heard several shouts of “Come in!” and someone opened the door slightly. I’d braced myself for a lot of possibilities, but what I found still surprised me. As I entered, I found myself in a full-...
Noah Morris ’12